I know I am asking for two things that are typically mutually exclusive, but has anyone found a cheap and reliable crimp tool for the connectors?
|
Re: Calling all Midwesterners.
KD9CYF, Doug, Northern Illinois, EN52rj
|
Re: Calling all Midwesterners.
KE0KKM, SE Minnesota.? About 30 miles East of Rochester.
I'm in the process of moving so it's been a few weeks (and probably will be a few more) since I've been on the air.
On Jun 8, 2017 1:33 PM, "John Smith via Groups.Io" <johnlinux77= [email protected]> wrote: I was hoping to see more people here since we are the other two quarters of the country. I know it's a small sampling right now, but this is what I hear on BITX QSO Night. We midwesterners must be pretty shy, or most of the BITX owners are coastal folks.
I am pretty casual when it comes to making contacts, and not competitive about it, but so far my only BITX40 contacts are W1LY Rhode Island, and WB0NPM Southern California. One on each coast and they heard me better than I could hear them.?
Seriously, let's find out if there's anymore Midwesterners out there, go ahead and call now.
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
Should be easy enough to make Pavel's library interface identical to that from Etherkit,
perhaps just a wrapper around what Pavel already has.?
Then each of us can decide which library to use when we compile the sketch, perhaps commenting
out sections of code in the sketch to make it fit our processor.
Those don't want the overhead of the wrapper can call Pavel's routines directly once they have
determined the library meets their needs..
I like the idea of a stripped down library, more easily understood and adjusted to fit our needs.?
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Thu, Jun 8, 2017 at 11:47 am, Allard PE1NWL wrote:
I would recommend that the interface would be identical to the one as used
in the standard library, so that you can easily change libraries without
having to recode the sketch (existing sketches would be compatible to
either library).
?
|
Tayda has good connectors, but I would not buy their pins if they look like their picture!
Beware of the pins that look like this! You have to cut them flush on the sides where they slide in.
I have used them, very troublesome.
Either buy them "Loose" (ready) or if connect together they break off on the end, not the sides.
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Show quoted text
On 6/8/2017 11:11 AM, Vince Vielhaber wrote:
Is that the same as these? (note: they use the same pic for all of them)
Vince.
On 06/08/2017 01:47 PM, Michael Hagen wrote:
Mouser Crimp Term 22-30 Ga. by Molex
# 538-08-50-0114
On 6/8/2017 10:24 AM, bwbangerter via Groups.Io wrote:
I would like to obtain a few female pins for the connector bodies used
with the bitx40. But I do not recognize these connectors. It would
be useful to make up shielded cables for some of the connections, and
to make connections without splicing wires. Can anyone tell me what
to order?
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
Once the Nano is -almost- full, you can spend 90% of your time fooling around trying to make another feature fit.
Best to just go with one larger processor, if you add a second processor you then have to spend time getting them to coordinate.
Here's a possible upgrade: ?
I haven't tried one, but seems ideal. ?Lots of extra pins, flash, ram, 12 bit ADC's, processor power. ?And cheap.
This processor has 3.3v io like most modern parts such as the Si5351, not 5v like most Arduinos have.?
Not interested in having it make coffee, but plenty of other features that would be useful in such a rig:
? CW Keyer, ?SWR meter, battery monitor, stand-alone digital modes, diagnostic aids.
I think the Si5351 should be on the main Bitx40 (or uBitx) board, some filtering on those I2C lines. ?
Then we can have different off-the-shelf processors and displays, depending on the the feature set we want.
If you get noise in the receiver from the processor and display, that means it needs shielding and bypass caps and such.?
Jerry, KE7ER
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On Thu, Jun 8, 2017 at 11:25 am, Andy wrote:
Now raduino use 95% of program storage space, so what is next¡ we can add one more nano in our transceiver or?
?
|
Re: Can't upload to Raduino / warranty issue
Did you try the CH340 driver installer software for these cheap chinese clones that use the cheaper USB interface chip? If you have only used expensive name brand ARDUINO products before, then you really need this driver installed.
When I complained about a defective Nano and lack of customer service Farhan asked "What did you expect". And that was it.
So, WE ARE the free Indian call center help line.?
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
As Pavel mentioned I have indeed tried his modified library a few days ago
and the initial results were quite promising (except that tuning was not
yet working on a standard raduino, but I trust that Pavel will be able to
fix this).
If his library will be evaluated OK, then we need to open a discussion
whether or not we should switch to Pavel's library.
Potential pro's:
1. no tuning clicks
2. less memory space - more room for extra features
Potential cons:
1. non standard library
2. certain unused features have been removed by Pavel, these are currently
not needed but might be needed for other (future) hacks or improvements.
Anyway a good documentation of the library would be an absolute must.
I would recommend that the interface would be identical to the one as used
in the standard library, so that you can easily change libraries without
having to recode the sketch (existing sketches would be compatible to
either library).
73 Allard PE1NWL
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On Thu, June 8, 2017 20:19, Pavel Milanes Costa wrote:
El 08/06/17 a las 13:01, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io escribi??:
When you say you are going to publish a patch that cuts the firmware
code size by 25% plus "a lot" of SRAM... You save 25% of the firmware and about 7% of sram, not much in deed, but
every byte counts: see the data below.
After the patch is applied (depending on Allard, it's his play) I will
try to apply some optimizations learned on another projects; It can
compplicate the code for non coders, but the important is that the code
works and with many coments to explain what every piece of code does I
think it's not a great problem.
I have other features such as CAT control (SRAM agressive), use of a
second Si5351 output as BFO to generate pure CW with and put ALWAYS the
VFO above the RF and get rid of a few birdies, amongs others.
All of these are part of other of my projects, one similar to the
raduino ()
_Raduino (allard 1.13):_
Sketch uses 26886 bytes (87%) of program storage space. Maximum is 30720
bytes. Global variables use 1521 bytes (74%) of dynamic memory, leaving
527 bytes
_Raduino (pavel's patch switch to onther si5351 Lib)_
Sketch uses 19878 bytes (61%) of program storage space. Maximum is 32256
bytes.
Global variables use 1377 bytes (67%) of dynamic memory, leaving 671
bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2048 bytes.
|
Re: Europe to States BitX QSO
Hello,
I have two lambda/4 verticals, 10 meters apart. Each vertical have 30-40 buried radials.
Basic description of similar system you can find here:
Yes, they have +3db gain compared to one vertical. Signals from the back are -20dB so¡ less QRM.
This is DX antenna for low angles and system is much better that dipole on 12m AGL. I made tests during many contests and dipole or horizontal loop are winner only during the day for contacts in range 500 -1200km.
If you have some high full size dipole or loop you can work EU stations with 5w during winter or when propagations on 40m are good.
73 & cu on 40m
9a3jh Andy
|
Here are some on ebay:
Marco - KG5PRT?
On Jun 8, 2017 1:19 PM, "Michael Hagen" < motdog@...> wrote:
The pins vary is cost how they come packaged.
These at Mouser seem to be the least costly.
Mike, WA6ISP
?
On 6/8/2017 10:47 AM, Michael Hagen
wrote:
Mouser Crimp Term? 22-30 Ga. by Molex
# 538-08-50-0114
On 6/8/2017 10:24 AM, bwbangerter via
Groups.Io wrote:
I would like to obtain a few female pins for the
connector bodies used with the bitx40.? But I do not recognize
these connectors.? It would be useful to make up shielded cables
for some of the connections, and to make connections without
splicing wires.? Can anyone tell me what to order?
|
Re: Calling all Midwesterners.
I was hoping to see more people here since we are the other two quarters of the country. I know it's a small sampling right now, but this is what I hear on BITX QSO Night. We midwesterners must be pretty shy, or most of the BITX owners are coastal folks.
I am pretty casual when it comes to making contacts, and not competitive about it, but so far my only BITX40 contacts are W1LY Rhode Island, and WB0NPM Southern California. One on each coast and they heard me better than I could hear them.?
Seriously, let's find out if there's anymore Midwesterners out there, go ahead and call now.
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
Hello all, My BITX40 have following modifications: DDS (VFO+BFO) with QRP labs si5351, I2C display, RF RX attenuator 16dB, RF gain control, CW and AGC. Not so happy with AGC circuit (original with 2n7000) and will test VK3YE AGC in the future. I use my own code without some (for me) not important functions. My opinion is that software development of raduino is going in right direction but... Now raduino use 95% of program storage space, so what is next¡ we can add one more nano in our transceiver or? Of course, I agree 100% with lz1dpn and I think that this is right way: The QRP transceiver is just QRP transceiver - not need to make
coffee , and read news papper ¡ This mailing list is good opportunity to make some list of software functions what we realy need, for example I vote for: CW keyer, CAT control, some channel memory function, lock button¡ Two cents more... K3NG arduino keyer is very good example of arduino HAM software. 73 & cu on 40m cw, 9a3jh Andy
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
El 08/06/17 a las 13:01, Jack Purdum
via Groups.Io escribi¨®:
When you say you are
going to publish a patch that cuts the firmware code size by 25%
plus "a lot" of SRAM...
You save 25% of the firmware and about 7% of sram, not much in deed,
but every byte counts: see the data below.
After the patch is applied (depending on Allard, it's his play) I
will try to apply some optimizations learned on another projects; It
can compplicate the code for non coders, but the important is that
the code works and with many coments to explain what every piece of
code does I think it's not a great problem.
I have other features such as CAT control (SRAM agressive), use of a
second Si5351 output as BFO to generate pure CW with and put ALWAYS
the VFO above the RF and get rid of a few birdies, amongs others.
All of these are part of other of my projects, one similar to the
raduino ()
Raduino (allard 1.13):
Sketch uses 26886 bytes (87%) of program storage space. Maximum is
30720 bytes.
Global variables use 1521 bytes (74%) of dynamic memory, leaving 527
bytes
Raduino (pavel's patch switch to onther si5351 Lib)
Sketch uses 19878 bytes (61%) of program storage space. Maximum is
32256 bytes.
Global variables use 1377 bytes (67%) of dynamic memory, leaving 671
bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2048 bytes.
|
The pins vary is cost how they come packaged.
These at Mouser seem to be the least costly.
Mike, WA6ISP
?
On 6/8/2017 10:47 AM, Michael Hagen
wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
Mouser Crimp Term? 22-30 Ga. by Molex
# 538-08-50-0114
On 6/8/2017 10:24 AM, bwbangerter via
Groups.Io wrote:
I would like to obtain a few female pins for the
connector bodies used with the bitx40. ?But I do not recognize
these connectors. ?It would be useful to make up shielded cables
for some of the connections, and to make connections without
splicing wires. ?Can anyone tell me what to order?
|
Is that the same as these? (note: they use the same pic for all of them)
Vince.
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
On 06/08/2017 01:47 PM, Michael Hagen wrote: Mouser Crimp Term 22-30 Ga. by Molex
# 538-08-50-0114
On 6/8/2017 10:24 AM, bwbangerter via Groups.Io wrote:
I would like to obtain a few female pins for the connector bodies used
with the bitx40. But I do not recognize these connectors. It would
be useful to make up shielded cables for some of the connections, and
to make connections without splicing wires. Can anyone tell me what
to order?
--
Michigan VHF Corp.
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
Jack, That's for Allard's code.
I created a Si5351 lib a while ago that it's smaller (firware
& SRAM) than the Jason one
() and I was playing with
Allard code and it can cut 25% of the used firmware (I really
don't check how much SRAM but Allard got excited about the sram it
can free)
The problem was that I haven't a real raduino hardware, I
assembled all the hardware with a breadboard and an Arduino Pro
and the guide of the Raduino schematics + a old version of a
bitx20 board modded to 40m.
The patch works great here (homebre hardware) but don't works on
Allard tests (real raduino).
Last night I borrowed a real raduino + bit40v3 SMD from a ham
friend and beging testing it... first round result in no hardware
discrepances but it doesn't work (just like Allard noted to me,
the si5351 does not generate any freq.)
I have to go deeper, but it must wait a few days... this night I
go on vacation with the family until next week. 8-)
73 from (almost) the sunny Santa Luc¨ªa Beach on the North Coast
of Cuba.
El 08/06/17 a las 13:01, Jack Purdum
via Groups.Io escribi¨®:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
OK...I misunderstood
when you said "no clicks". The statement "...the RF noise is
almost gone" makes more sense. I was wondering how you
could?completely removed it in code.
I have a battery
voltage monitor and I only refresh its field when the
battery voltage drops by 0.2V. This helps reduce the flicker
by only doing updates when it's needed. When you say you are
going to publish a patch that cuts the firmware code size by
25% plus "a lot" of SRAM, which firmware are you talking
about...the original Raduino code, or Allard's code?
Jack,
W8TEE
From: Pavel
Milanes Costa <pavelmc@...>
To:
[email protected]
Sent:
Thursday, June 8, 2017 12:33 PM
Subject:
Re: [BITX20] Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie
sounds
Simple:
Minimize
the LCD writes and you will be fine.
I
implemented a s-meter bar in a raduino like
project ()
and oh boy... it was a mess in the RF spectrum
INSIDE de receiver... I tracked the problem to LCD
writes...
I have to
minimize the lcd writes and make the code just
update the bar in the space it needs to (writing
or erasing simple bars, not just redraw it in full
every time) and the RF noise is almost gone...
Confession:
that's why I don't like the buffer concept of the
LCD in the raduino code, it write the entire line
EVERY time it needs to update a single digit. For
RF quietiness it's better to split it in zones and
only update the zone as it's needed. That also
helps, but can turn into bigger code.
Don't
worry abot used code, I'm about to push a patch to
cut 25% of the used firmware and a lot of RAM in
the raduino, I'm just valitating it.
73.
El 08/06/17
a las 09:12, Jack Purdum via Groups.Io escribi¨®:
Hi
Dimitar:
I saw your comment:?
(many features -
many clicks ..., simple code - no clicks).
and would like to you to explain how that
works to me in greater detail. I know that
many of us have experienced this problem and
would like to know how you discovered that
simplifying the code, while still maintaining
the features set, was done and how you
simplified the code.
Thanks!
Jack,
W8TEE
From:
Dimitar Pavlov via Groups.Io <lz1dpn@...>
To:
[email protected]
Sent:
Thursday, June 8, 2017 3:47 AM
Subject:
Re: [BITX20] Struggling with tuning
clicks and birdie sounds
Hi
all,
Before,
I have the same problem with
other transceivers, with various
DDS, and with LED/OLED displays.
The
tuning clicks, are the software
problem, connected to refreshing
frequency for display,
reading
frequency for the rotary encoder
and other refreshing frequencies
in arduino code (update
frequency to Si570/Si5351/AD9851
...).
To
resolve this problem need to
optimize code, and implement
some wait()/delay() functions.
(many
features - many clicks ...,
simple code - no clicks).
The
QRP transceiver is just QRP
transceiver - not need to make
coffee , and read news papper
...
Good
idea is to use separate power
source (2 or 3 pcs LM7812 / 7805
/ 7806 for DDS, receiver and
other ...
(Birdie sounds are
harmonics problem with DDS,
and it is not resolving
problem. Transceivers also
have birdies in other
frequencies,
but Your band plan
includes only one/two of
them.)
73!
On Thursday, June 8,
2017 12:42 AM, Dr Fred
Hambrecht <AAR4MI@...>
wrote:
I have
braided both the tuning
and volume control wires
with good results,
plus it
looks better.
v/r
Fred W4JLE
-----Original
Message-----
Sent:
Wednesday, June 7, 2017
07:39
Subject:
Re: [BITX20] Struggling
with tuning clicks and
birdie sounds
It seems
there is a huge
variability between
various BITX40 radios,
and
there are
various points where
improvements may help.
In my
particular case, I
achieved the greatest
tuning click reduction
just
by using
shielded wires to and
from the volume
potentiometer.
73 Allard
PE1NWL
|
Mouser Crimp Term? 22-30 Ga. by Molex
# 538-08-50-0114
On 6/8/2017 10:24 AM, bwbangerter via
Groups.Io wrote:
toggle quoted message
Show quoted text
I would like to obtain a few female pins for the
connector bodies used with the bitx40. ?But I do not recognize
these connectors. ?It would be useful to make up shielded cables
for some of the connections, and to make connections without
splicing wires. ?Can anyone tell me what to order?
|
Re: Bitx40 Transmit Problem
Hi Raj. ?Thanks for the reply. ?I've already tried adjusting the bias pot with no change. ?If I wanted to check the final, how would I do that? ?Can it be fixed? ?Thanks!
|
I would like to obtain a few female pins for the connector bodies used with the bitx40. ?But I do not recognize these connectors. ?It would be useful to make up shielded cables for some of the connections, and to make connections without splicing wires. ?Can anyone tell me what to order?
|
Re: Struggling with tuning clicks and birdie sounds
On Thu, Jun 8, 2017 at 07:21 am, Allard PE1NWL wrote:
Last night I found out that in my latest version raduino_v1.14 there is a small bug that the display is unneccessarily updated even when the frequency hasn't changed. This may cause a slight ticking noise.
?I have just uploaded a corrected version v.1.14.1 to Github at
The only difference with the previous version 1.14 is that the display is now only updated when there actually is a change.
This is the same behaviour as in all earlier versions, only in v1.14 there was a small bug that it was updated every 50 ms even when there wasn't any change. This caused some slight ticking even when you don't turn the tuning pot.
This has now been corrected.
73 Allard PE1NWL
|
Allard PE1NWL
Rob N4RMK